Here’s a way to make your writing stronger; begin your paragraphs with topic sentences.

(Click on the title of this blog to activate a response window at the end of the article.)

Your writing will be stronger if you begin each paragraph with a topic sentence. Readers will not have to wait to discover what your paragraphs are going to cover, and thus, they will not become frustrated or confused. Here is an example article . . .

(Please note: This article is for illustrative purposes only. Consult your financial professional about your specific financial and investment strategy. I am a wordsmith, not a financial advisor.)

Bury the trea$ure, or bank your good fortune? (headline)

Some folks show great imagination with regard to money. (topic sentence) On a dark night, they dig a hole in the backyard and deposit the plastic bag. Then, they’re surprised to see the neighbor’s dog bounding along with that pricey “sandwich” in his mouth. Or, they pick out a sweet treasure spot in the woods and lose the map. Some bury bills under the floorboards, or put them in the mattress, and then, the house burns down. Or, they pack the bills into a suitcase and take their trip to Eternity without telling anyone about their hidden fortune.

There are many BETTER ways to secure your good fortune. (thesis sentence)

The benefit to bringing in your money to a financial institution is that your money is federally insured. That’s something to keep in mind, says Janice Smith, Marketing Coordinator at Your Best Credit Union. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures deposits to at least $250,000. Credit unions have similar insurance––the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF). Both insure savings, checking, and money market accounts, certificates of deposit (CD), and even Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA’s), should the institution fail.

Even a safety deposit box is better than a Maxwell House Coffee can. (topic sentence) Locked in a vault and protected by security, the safety deposit box is better than backyard burial when saving money. Rent a box in your choice of sizes and rental fees.

How about a savings account? (topic sentence) The idea is pretty simple. Your deposited savings (principle), which can be withdrawn any time, earns a small amount of cash from the bank, called “interest.” Most banks offer between 3.5-4% interest on the total balance in the account. This is called the Annual Percentage Yield (APY), and it goes up and down (fluctuates) with the financial marketplace. Your yield increases through a process of compounding. Each time compounding occurs, your balance, including the interest earned, is multiplied. So, it’s a good idea to find out how often an institution compounds your balance––monthly, quarterly, or annually. Also, shop institutions for the best rates.

Financial institutions offer all types of savings accounts. (topic sentence) It’s very easy to get confused with the details, so ask questions of a financial representative.

A CD acts like a savings account, but with differences. (topic sentence) CD’s usually require a minimum deposit––from $250 to $2,500, or more, depending on the type. Also, the CD requires a fixed amount of time the money must stay in the account. This “term” could be one, three, or six months, or from one to five years. The interest rate (remember, that coumpounding mechanism) is fixed, too. It won’t move up or down during the term. Still, CD’s usually pay higher interest rates than savings accounts.

Looking into retirement accounts like IRA’s is a good idea. (topic sentence) A retirement account encourages long-term savings. It combines the mechanisms of investing and compounding. Now, this account doesn’t have the flexibility of a savings account or CD. In fact, if you withdraw your

http://wordingforyou.stonebreakerswebgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/61/2016/07/logo.jpg00webgrouphttp://wordingforyou.stonebreakerswebgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/61/2016/07/logo.jpgwebgroup2016-08-16 19:31:442017-05-30 19:52:19Here's a way to make your writing stronger